Policyhttps://www.bettergov.org/policy
The BGA's Policy team advocates for a more transparent, accountable and efficient government through public policy reforms.
We work to protect and strengthen Illinois' Freedom of Information Act and Open Meetings Act and to propose policy solutions to prevent corruption, inefficiency and waste in government.
The policy team advocates for good government across Illinois by crafting legislation to improve government efficiency and accountability. We track trends and research best practices in good government, and publish analyses and perspectives on our website and with media partners.enLeven: The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Needs an Inspector General Nowhttps://www.bettergov.org/news/leven-the-metropolitan-water-reclamation-district-needs-an-inspector-general-now
The BGA's Policy Team says it's time for the government branch that cleans our water to embrace accountability.Wed, 13 Feb 2019 16:22 -0600Rachel L. Levenhttps://bettergov.org/node/1401842Leven: Pritzker Administration Starts Off With Promises of Sunshine in Illinois Governmenthttps://www.bettergov.org/news/leven-pritzker-administration-starts-off-with-promises-of-sunshine-in-illinois-government
Governor Pritzker’s executive order indicates that he is hoping to hold agencies to the “highest degree of transparency accountability standards.” Hopefully, he and the attorney general will work with legislators to make transparency a default.Sun, 20 Jan 2019 08:32 -0600Rachel L. Levenhttps://bettergov.org/node/1401830Cook County Health Systems Should Livestream Their Meetingshttps://www.bettergov.org/news/cook-county-health-systems-should-livestream-their-meetings
With Cook County Health Systems receiving over $100 million from county taxpayers, it makes sense that they should strive for as much transparency as possible. Mon, 14 Jan 2019 15:00 -0600BGAhttps://bettergov.org/node/1401824Illinois Parents, Drivers, Employees — Know These New Laws For 2019.https://www.bettergov.org/news/illinois-parents-drivers-employees-know-these-new-laws-for-2019
From rules of the road to school code requirements, here are some important laws that took effect in the New Year.Thu, 03 Jan 2019 13:00 -0600Rachel L. Levenhttps://bettergov.org/node/1401818Lawmakers Introduced Nearly Two Hundred Bills With the Potential to Weaken Government Transparencyhttps://www.bettergov.org/news/lawmakers-introduced-nearly-two-hundred-bills-with-the-potential-to-weaken-government
The BGA Policy Team finds that in just two years, nearly two hundred bills changing the Freedom of Information Act were assigned to as many as 40 committees in the Illinois General Assembly.Mon, 17 Dec 2018 06:00 -0600Danish Murtazahttps://bettergov.org/node/1401807Leven: Will Chicago’s City Council Finally Put Responsibility for Compensating Injured City Workers in the City’s Hands?https://www.bettergov.org/news/leven-will-chicago-s-city-council-finally-put-responsibility-for-compensating-injured-city
Chicago is getting closer to running its injured workers program the right way.Mon, 17 Dec 2018 01:00 -0600Rachel L. Levenhttps://bettergov.org/node/1401809Doubek: How to Ensure a Better Next 200 Years for Illinoishttps://www.bettergov.org/news/doubek-how-to-ensure-a-better-next-200-years-for-illinois-0
We Need to Invest in Transit, Transparency and Humane Treatment for Illinois' FutureMon, 10 Dec 2018 17:14 -0600Madeleine Doubekhttps://bettergov.org/node/1401799Disclosed: How to Restrict Non-disclosure Agreementshttps://www.bettergov.org/news/disclosed-how-to-restrict-non-disclosure-agreements
There are plenty of existing laws across the country that limit the use of non-disclosure agreements. Illinois lawmakers should draw on these models to protect the public and address a problem common to all industries, from Hollywood to local government.Thu, 06 Dec 2018 06:00 -0600Rachel L. Levenhttps://bettergov.org/node/1401796 Disclosed: It’s Time to Put Restrictions on Non-disclosure Agreementshttps://www.bettergov.org/news/disclosed-it-s-time-to-put-restrictions-on-non-disclosure-agreements
What do Harvey Weinstein, GM, Johnson & Johnson, the Catholic Church, and the City of Markham all have in common? We can’t disclose it.Thu, 29 Nov 2018 06:00 -0600Rachel L. Levenhttps://bettergov.org/node/1401793Doubek: Let's Move to Start Cleaning Up our Recycling Challengeshttps://www.bettergov.org/news/doubek-lets-move-to-start-cleaning-up-our-recycling-challenges
Chicago and Illinois' recycling efforts are in need of measured management.Mon, 26 Nov 2018 17:30 -0600Madeleine Doubekhttps://bettergov.org/node/1401792Chicago Might Soon Join Other Major Cities In Airing And Recording Its Committee Hearingshttps://www.bettergov.org/news/chicago-might-soon-join-other-major-cities-in-airing-and-recording-its-committee-hearings
Following a BGA policy report, a new City Council resolution will require committee meetings to be broadcast.Wed, 14 Nov 2018 15:30 -0600Danish Murtazahttps://bettergov.org/node/1401784Doubek: Let's Grab Our New Chance to Fight for Fair Political Mapshttps://www.bettergov.org/news/doubek-lets-grab-our-new-chance-to-fight-for-fair-political-maps
Five states have voted for independent mapping commissions this year to end political rigging. Why not fight for Illinois to join them?Mon, 12 Nov 2018 17:43 -0600Madeleine Doubekhttps://bettergov.org/node/1401781Leven: Zombie Hearings at City Hallhttps://www.bettergov.org/news/leven-zombie-hearings-at-city-hall
Since January of 2017, the mayor and aldermen have made as many as 70 calls for public hearings and expert testimony. But, not all of them actually happen.Tue, 30 Oct 2018 14:00 -0500Rachel L. Levenhttps://bettergov.org/node/1401767Leven: The City Needs to Get to Work on Cleaning Up its Recycling Programhttps://www.bettergov.org/news/leven-the-city-needs-to-get-to-work-on-cleaning-up-its-recycling-program
The BGA Policy Team highlights a way forward for the City of Chicago’s recycling program.Tue, 30 Oct 2018 10:56 -0500Rachel L. Levenhttps://bettergov.org/node/1401766With One Change Needed to Protect Transparency, the BGA Supports the Consent Decreehttps://www.bettergov.org/news/with-one-change-needed-to-protect-transparency-the-bga-supports-the-consent-decree
The BGA testifies that language protecting public access to police documents should be improved in the Chicago police consent decree that is an important achievement.Thu, 25 Oct 2018 15:40 -0500Rachel L. Levenhttps://bettergov.org/node/1401754